Method and device for parallel chromatography

Abstract

The invention relates to a device or equipment as well as to a method for the simultaneous, fractionating operation of a plurality of parallel chromatographic columns. It is particularly advantageous to apply this equipment and method in research, in the framework of organic synthesis for simultaneous, parallel separation, isolation and purification of a plurality of chemical compounds, e.g. of potential new active ingredients for medicaments, particularly also on the semi-preparative scale.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. An apparatus for simultaneously carrying out a number n of fractionating column chromatographies, said apparatus comprising: 
       a) a mounting base containing one or more removable test tube racks such that an array of m spaced rows of n test tubes in each row is formed;  
       b) a pair of parallel side rails extending respectively along longitudinal sides of said mounting base and a controllable, motor-driven carriage movable along said side rails;  
       c) a column support bridge mounted on said carriage so as to be movable therewith over the m rows of test tubes in said array of test tubes in said mounting base;  
       d) a number n of chromatographic columns mounted on said bridge in a row parallel to the rows of test tubes in said array; said n chromatographic columns each having at the bottom thereof a dropper tip which is positioned such that as the carriage and bridge move over the array of test tubes in the mounting base, the line of movement of the dropper tip is aligned with a respective test tube in each row of test tubes;  
       e) at least one solvent container mounted on said carriage for accommodating an eluting agent;  
       f) a plurality of supply lines connected between said at least one solvent container and said chromatographic columns for introducing solvent from said at least one container into said columns; and  
       g) a motor drive for moving the carriage and column support bridge along said side rails over the mounting base and an electronic control device for automatically controlling the movement of said carriage and column support bridge; and  
       wherein n represents a whole number greater than 5.  
     
     
       2. An apparatus according to claim  1  wherein said mounting base is in the form of a trough. 
     
     
       3. An apparatus according to claim  1  wherein said mounting base is provided with at least one solvent drain at one or both ends. 
     
     
       4. An apparatus according to claim  1  wherein said plurality of chromatographic columns are fixedly mounted on said bridge. 
     
     
       5. An apparatus according to claim  1  wherein said plurality of chromatographic columns are detachably mounted on said bridge so as to be interchangeable. 
     
     
       6. An apparatus according to claim  1  wherein said chromatographic columns are pressure-tight and operate under elevated pressure. 
     
     
       7. An apparatus according to claim  1  comprising a plurality of solvent containers for different solvents mounted on said carriage. 
     
     
       8. An apparatus according to claim  1  wherein said at least one solvent container is pressure-tight and operates under elevated pressure. 
     
     
       9. An apparatus according to claim  8  wherein the at least one solvent container, the plurality of supply lines and the chromatographic columns operate under an elevated pressure of up to 10 bar. 
     
     
       10. An apparatus according to claim  1  wherein said at least one solvent container is mounted on said bridge above the chromatographic columns. 
     
     
       11. An apparatus according to claim  1  wherein said supply lines are flexible pressure tubes. 
     
     
       12. An apparatus according to claim  1  wherein said electronic control device controls both the speed and the position of the carriage and column support bridge. 
     
     
       13. An apparatus according to claim  1  wherein n is a whole number from 6 to 15. 
     
     
       14. An apparatus according to claim  13  wherein n is a whole number from 6 to 10. 
     
     
       15. A method for simultaneously carrying out a number n of parallel fractionating column chromatographies, said method comprising the steps of: 
       providing an array of m rows of n test tubes in each row and a number n of chromatographic columns supported in a row on a bridge mounted on a carriage so as to be movable over the array of test tubes;  
       charging and conditioning the chromatographic columns with solid phase and solvent in a start position above a solvent drain;  
       loading a sample at the top of each chromatographic column;  
       introducing an eluting agent from at least one solvent container mounted on said bridge into the tops of the chromatographic columns to initiate chromatography of the samples;  
       moving the row of chromatographic columns over successive rows of test tubes in said array under the control of an electronic controller so that each chromatographic column is positioned for a predetermined time interval over a respective test tube of each of the m rows of test tubes; and  
       collecting individual chromatography fractions from the chromatography columns in the respective test tubes of successive rows.  
     
     
       16. A method according to claim  15  wherein the chromatographies are carried out under an elevated pressure of up to 10 bar.